I'm trying to begin working out on a more regular and rigorous basis, and I think this last weekend was a good start. I spent two days helping replant natives on Scorpion Rock, a small island just off of Santa Cruz Island. Almost a week later, and I'm still sore!
I haven't gotten a chance to hit the gym this week, but it's just as well. I developed pretty bad blisters on my palms from the work this weekend. Climbing wouldn't be the best thing to do until they heal. I did get a nice long hike in at high elevation up by Idyllwild on Wednesday, checking up on a few of our research sites up there.
Next week I will be heading up to Santa Barbara for work. I will be building silt-catching fences for an erosion control study, which should be good for "weight-training". Whenever I travel for work, I usually swim a few laps in the hotel pool, followed by a night on the town with the rest of the work crew. This time, I plan to bring my road bike and try to do a few miles around the neighborhood after swimming. And instead of driving to dinner - I'll just bike.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
on fundraising and gardens..
It's funny how climbing a heavily glaciated 14,000 ft peak doesn't daunt me as much as fundraising. I've climbed a few mountains (though not as big as Rainier), but I've never been part of fundraising event before. Last night, I actually dreamed of what I could do to fundraise. I was that anxious! My list of ideas so far:
- Instead of Christmas and birthday presents, I'm going to ask for donations.
- See about setting up a booth at the local farmers market. Perhaps sell reusable bags?
- Maybe get back into pastels, make a few pieces of the mountain and similar themes, and sell them. Perhaps at the local artwalk..
- fundraising potluck/BBQs.
-I think I may just raffle or sell my kayak and all its accessories. I very rarely use it anyways living in the desert!
- Make posters/flyers for friends and family to display at their workplace.
- Put donation cup at the local climbing gym, lunch room at work.
To say the least, I'm nervous.
I guess I have to remember that things take time to grow.. kind of like our garden at work.
A few months ago, there was just a round patch of dirt and weeds outside my office. And then my co-worker James decided to change that. He decided to just take out the weeds and put down some mulch and boulders, which was a big enough project for one person. As he worked, someone saw him sweating and began to help out. In the following months, I found a cheap bench online, and my supervisor Marcia bought it and brought it in. A lot of us were hurting from the loss of our co-worker Nicole, and working on the garden became a outlet for many of us. A few people planted plants. Another brought a birdfeeder. A birdbath was added. And after a while, many helping and generous hands later, we have a beautiful, lush garden. It's hard to believe there was anything else there before.
With the help of others and some commitment, projects that seem to hard or too big for one person are possible. Even snowball, like the garden. Yes, that sounds cliche, but it's funny how often we can get humbled to a standstill by large projects.
I'm glad that I just have to step outside of my office and look at the garden to see what big, beautiful things can be achieved - and remember, it all began with one person.
If anyone is curious to see the garden for themselves, and how it's grown (unfortunately, we don't have a "before" picture of it when it was just a dirt/weed-patch):
photo gallery of Nicole's Garden
- Instead of Christmas and birthday presents, I'm going to ask for donations.
- See about setting up a booth at the local farmers market. Perhaps sell reusable bags?
- Maybe get back into pastels, make a few pieces of the mountain and similar themes, and sell them. Perhaps at the local artwalk..
- fundraising potluck/BBQs.
-I think I may just raffle or sell my kayak and all its accessories. I very rarely use it anyways living in the desert!
- Make posters/flyers for friends and family to display at their workplace.
- Put donation cup at the local climbing gym, lunch room at work.
To say the least, I'm nervous.
I guess I have to remember that things take time to grow.. kind of like our garden at work.
A few months ago, there was just a round patch of dirt and weeds outside my office. And then my co-worker James decided to change that. He decided to just take out the weeds and put down some mulch and boulders, which was a big enough project for one person. As he worked, someone saw him sweating and began to help out. In the following months, I found a cheap bench online, and my supervisor Marcia bought it and brought it in. A lot of us were hurting from the loss of our co-worker Nicole, and working on the garden became a outlet for many of us. A few people planted plants. Another brought a birdfeeder. A birdbath was added. And after a while, many helping and generous hands later, we have a beautiful, lush garden. It's hard to believe there was anything else there before.
With the help of others and some commitment, projects that seem to hard or too big for one person are possible. Even snowball, like the garden. Yes, that sounds cliche, but it's funny how often we can get humbled to a standstill by large projects.
I'm glad that I just have to step outside of my office and look at the garden to see what big, beautiful things can be achieved - and remember, it all began with one person.
If anyone is curious to see the garden for themselves, and how it's grown (unfortunately, we don't have a "before" picture of it when it was just a dirt/weed-patch):
photo gallery of Nicole's Garden
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
RainierFTW
About this blog's name:
RAINIER: Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano (also known as a composite volcano) in Pierce County, Washington, located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. It towers over the Cascade Range as the most prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and Cascade Volcanic Arc at 14,411 feet (4,392 m). Also the mountain I will be climbing for Summit for Someone.
FTW: abbreviation for: “For The Win”
Adverb (Internet slang): Of something which completes a process in a successful manner or is of the speaker's personal preference.
“He lines up the shot..and he makes it-FOR THE WIN!"
RAINIER: Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano (also known as a composite volcano) in Pierce County, Washington, located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. It towers over the Cascade Range as the most prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and Cascade Volcanic Arc at 14,411 feet (4,392 m). Also the mountain I will be climbing for Summit for Someone.
FTW: abbreviation for: “For The Win”
Adverb (Internet slang): Of something which completes a process in a successful manner or is of the speaker's personal preference.
“He lines up the shot..and he makes it-FOR THE WIN!"
First Post! and backstory..
When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to go to Washington state and visit Rainier National Park with my dad. On one of the trails that lead to one of the approaches to the peak, not too far from the snow level, we were stopped by a sign that declared one must carry a permit to continue on.
Fearless and confident as only a nine-year old could be, I was sure I could have kept on going – right to the top. It just looked like a big mound of snow, after all. After I asked him if we could get one of those permits that day, my dad assured me, smiling: it’s not as easy as it looks. As I regretfully headed back down the trail with my dad, I promised myself I would do it one day. All I needed was one of those silly permits..
In the years to follow, I continued to explore and climb other mountains with my father, on my own, and with friends. I quickly learned that one needed more than just a permit to climb a mountain like Mt. Rainier. A successful summit, more often than not, required one to be in excellent shape, have the right gear, and be a good teammate.
I have been so blessed in my life to have had the many opportunities to experience the beauty of the wilderness. I am so happy to now be a part of fundraising campaign that will help youth that otherwise would not have such opportunities, to go out and explore like I did. There were several peaks to choose from for this benefit, but I thought Rainier would be most fitting.
In addition, I will be dedicating my climb to my friend and co-worker, Nicole Llerena (5/28/87-7/16/09). I had the opportunity to take Nicole on her first backpacking trip, and I’ll never forget her enthusiasm and energy, despite rain, extreme heat, and heavy packs. I am so happy to continue helping others experience the joy of the outdoors through this next adventure.
Fearless and confident as only a nine-year old could be, I was sure I could have kept on going – right to the top. It just looked like a big mound of snow, after all. After I asked him if we could get one of those permits that day, my dad assured me, smiling: it’s not as easy as it looks. As I regretfully headed back down the trail with my dad, I promised myself I would do it one day. All I needed was one of those silly permits..
In the years to follow, I continued to explore and climb other mountains with my father, on my own, and with friends. I quickly learned that one needed more than just a permit to climb a mountain like Mt. Rainier. A successful summit, more often than not, required one to be in excellent shape, have the right gear, and be a good teammate.
I have been so blessed in my life to have had the many opportunities to experience the beauty of the wilderness. I am so happy to now be a part of fundraising campaign that will help youth that otherwise would not have such opportunities, to go out and explore like I did. There were several peaks to choose from for this benefit, but I thought Rainier would be most fitting.
In addition, I will be dedicating my climb to my friend and co-worker, Nicole Llerena (5/28/87-7/16/09). I had the opportunity to take Nicole on her first backpacking trip, and I’ll never forget her enthusiasm and energy, despite rain, extreme heat, and heavy packs. I am so happy to continue helping others experience the joy of the outdoors through this next adventure.
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